Artemius of Verkola

The holy saintArtemius of Verkola (or Verkolsk) the Righteous Child Wonder-worker lived in Russia in the 16th century. He was only 12 years of age when he was struck dead by lightning. His feast day is celebrated on the date of his repose, June 23, as well as on October 20.

Because St. Artemius was killed by lightning, people at first believed this was God's judgment upon him. "Some years later, the village reader beheld a light over the place where the incorrupt body of the Righteous Artemius lay." [1] His relics were taken to the church of St. Nicholas in 1577, where they performed numerous healings. In 1918, Soviets desecrated his relics and threw them into a well.